Container closure seal



`June 27, 1933. w. C, GROSSER 1,915,309

.CONTAINER cIJosURE SEAL Filed April 20, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 umlllllllllm @WWW/@ff F76- /2 m l Arroz/vers June 27, 1933. w. c. GROSSER 1,915,309

CONTAINER CLOSURE SEAL VFiled April 20, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIIIII-IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII F/ 5 Patented June 27, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT .OFEFICE y'W'ALTER C. GROSSER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 THE DRAPETR MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND', OHIO, A. CORPORATIONl OF OHIO CONTAINER CLOSURE SEAL f Application led April 20, 1931.

The invention relates to closures for the bung openings of metallicv barrels, drums, vessels, packages or containers utilized for shipping and/or storing liquid or semi-solid materials, and more particularly to the provision of a very simple and inexpensive theft indicating seal and/or liquid seal for container bung openings.

Liquid or semi-solid materials are universally shipped in containers which also act as storage vessels for the materials. Frequently, unauthorized persons gain access to the contents of the containers and tamper with or steal part or al1 of the contents of the containers.

'Accordingly, various Iconstructions have been proposed or used for preventing unde.

tectable access to and removal of the contents of such containers, which. provide a visible sign that someone has tampered with the contents of the container.

However, such7 prior constructions have usually required a material alteration and an addition of numerous parts inthe design and construction of standard types of closure bung rings and/ or plugs. These alterations and additions consequently increase the cost of fabricating container closures.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a theft indicating seal and closure forcontainer bung openings which is extremely simple and inexpensive in design and construction, which is very effective for indicating unauthorized tampering with the contents of the container, and which requires only very minor changes to be made in standard types of closure constructions in order that a theft-seal may be associated with the same.

Standard types of closurey constructions usually include a bung ring and a plug threaded into the bung ring, together with a gasketlocated between the plug and ring for providing a liquid seal for the plug. However, such liquid seals may leak undercertain` conditions, asv when the plug becomes loosened due to vibration during shipping.y

"It is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide a liquid seal vfor container bung openings which is extremely sim- Serial N0. 531,292.

ple and inexpensive in design and construction, which mayv be used either instead of or supplementary to the usual closure liquid.v seal, and which requires only very minor changes to be made in standard types of closure constructions in order that the improved liquid seal may be operatively associated therewith.

`Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to combine an improved theft indicatin seal and an improved liquid seal for container closures into one organization which is generally termed herein a dual seal, so as to coincidentally provide both of the referred to types of seals in a simple and inexpensive but eiective manner.

These and other objects may be attained by the elements, combinations and constructions, a number of preferred embodiments of which are shown in the accompanying 'I0 drawings andhereinafter described in detail, which maybe stated in general terms as including in container closure construction, an internally 'threaded bung ring or bushing connected with a container wall 75.'

forming a bung opening'y therefor, the bung ring being provided with an inwardly projecting annular flange at its inner end, a cupshaped sealing element having a disk bottom and a circumferential rim flange, and the disk bottom of the sealing element being seated or locked under compression-against the inwardly projecting annular bung flange by pressing the sealing element rim ange toward the bungilange, forming threads in the rim flange and seating said threads in the threaded portion of the bung ring adjal 4cent the bung flange preferably by screwing a closure'. plug into the bung ring opening, said cup-shaped element providing a theft indicating seal for the closure, there being liquid sealing means such as bre', rubber, cement, gum or the like, preferably interposed between the cup disk bottom ando the bung flange, and/or between the cup rim 95 fiange and -the bung ring threads to provide a liouid'tight seal for the closure.

In the drawings, Figures 1, 2

and 3' show Aa preferred form of closure plug, closure Fig: 6;

ig. 8 is a vertical axial sectional view through a modified form of sealing element and sealing element gasket, taken on the line 8-8,^Fig. 9;

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6, illustrating a modified form of sealing element; Fig., 11 is a vertical axial sectional view of a fibre theft indicating and liquid sealing element which may be substituted for the sealing elements shown in Figs. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10; f

Fi 12 is a view similar to Fig. `7 showing the fi re sealing element illustrated in Fig. 11 in assembled theft indicating and liquid sealing position;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a. modified form of sealing element which may be used without a closure plug;

F ig. 14 is a view of a tool which may be used for seating-the sealing element, illustratedin Fig. 13, in the threaded, flanged, bung ring of a container;

Fig. 15 is a verticalfaxial sectional view of a metallic cup theft indicating' sealing element; Y

Fig. 16 is a. vertical axial sectional view of a ferrule type liquid sealing gasket which may be used in connection with the cup shown in Fig. 15 to form a liquid seal between the Ithreads of a flanged bung ring and the cup sealing element;

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating the cup and gasket, shown in Figs. 15 and 16, in partially assembledl relation with a flanged container bujng opening and a threaded closure plug therefor;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged view of a portion of' Fig. 17 ;v

Fig.- 19 is a view similar to Fig. 17, but showing the parts thereof in ,completely asseinbled theft indicating and liquid sealing position;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged .view of a portion of Fig.`19;v

Figs. 21, 22 and 23 are enlarged views similarto Fig. .18,- illustrating a modified method of assemblingthe cup and gasket', shown in Figs. 15'p'and 16, in a fianged bung Fmg;

Fig. 24 is a view similar to Fi 16 of a modified form of ferrule type liquld sealing gasket provided with an inturned fiange;

Fig. 25 is a view similar to Fig. 17 illustrating the use of the gasket shown in Fig. 24, together with a modified form of metalhc CUP; v

Fig. 26 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a view similar to Fig. 25, but showing the parts thereof incompletely assembled theft indicating and liquid sealing position;

F Fig.7 28 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 29 is a view similar to Fig. 28, but showing another modified form of sealing cup member;

Fig. 30 is a view similar to Fig. 17 show--v ing a modified form of container bung ring construction Fig. 31 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 30; and Fig. 32 is a view similar to Fig. 31, but showing the parts thereof in completely assembled theft indicating and liquid sealing position.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the variousfgures of the drawings.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, the container wall 35 is provided-with an opening formed by the bung ring bushing 36, interiorly threaded 4at 37, and the upper flange of the bung ring is joined to the wall 35 by the seam 38. The bung ring 36 is located on the interior side of the container wall 35 and is provided with an inwardly projecting annular flange 39 at its inner end.

A bung opening closure plug is indicated at 40 and includes an exteriorly threaded portion 41, a fiange 42, preferably shaped to receive a wrench, and a wrench, receiving socket 43, the lower end of the threaded portion 41 being bevelled, tapered, `or chamfered as indicated at44. Y

The improved cup-shaped metallic sealing element is indicated generally at 45 and includes a disk bottom 46 and a circumferential rim fiange 47. As shown in Fig. 2, a

gasket 48 is preferably fixed, glued, cemented `ment 45 is first insertedinto the bung ring opening so that the disk bottomr 46 thereof, faced by the gasket 48, rests on the bung flange 39. (Figs. 4 and 5.) The closure plug 40 is then'thr'eaded into, the threaded bung ring 36 until the bevelled end 44 of the plug engages the upper annularedge of fthe cup rim 47. As the plug continues to lbe threaded into bung ring', the 47 is placed under axial compression so that the cupshaped sealing element is pressed downward and seated against the bung flange 39, and the gasket 48 of the member 45 is squeezed in liquid tight sealing relation between the disk -bottom 46 and bung ange 39, as indicated at 48a (Figs. 6 and 7).

Moreover, the plug threads 41, cooperating with the bung threads 37 form threads 49 (Figs. 6 and 7) in the sealing element rim flange 47 which are pressed or seated against and interengage the threads of the bung ring 36 adjacent the flange 39 thereof. The threads 49 now maintain the rim 47 under compression so that the element 45 is in liquid tight sealing relation, at 48a, within the bung opening; and the disk bottom 46 forms a theft indicating seal/for the bung opening.` The sealing element thus provides a dual seal for the bung opening.

The only way in which access may now be had to the interior of the container is to puncture the disk bottom 46. Accordingly, a filled container received by its rightful owner, with the sealing element 45 intact, evidences the fact that its contents has not been tampered with, while any distortion or destruction ofthe sealing element 45 si nifies that unauthorized access has been ad tothe contents of the container.

The plug 40 may be removed and replaced without disturbing the dual sealing func- Y tion or position of the sealing element 45,

and in some cases, the seated sealing element 45 may form the sole closure for the bung opening, as when the plug 40 is intentionally removed, or when the same is accidentallyl lost by unscrewing due to vibration during shipment.

It has been found by tests, that a container provided with a seated (Fig. 7) sealing element 45 and with the plug 40 removed, will withstand a pressure of at least ten pounds per` square inch from within the container, without leaking between the sealing element and the bung ring 36 thereof.

However, most cases, the plug 4() remains, during shipnent and storage, within the bung opening, and sufficient clearance is provided between .the lower end of the plug 40 and the upper surface of the disk bottom '46, as indicated at 50, so that the usual closure gasket 51 is clamped in liquid tight sealing relation, indicated at 51a (Figs. 6 and 7),

lbetween the plug flange 42 and container wall 35.

When it is desired to gain access to the contents of the container, theplug 40 is removed, the sealing element 45 is punctured by a suitable tool, and the tool may then be used for removing the sealing element 45 from the bung opening.

The liquid sealing gasket 48, shown in Fig. 2, is disk-shaped, but the same may not be necessarily so formed, but may have an annular shape, as illustrated at 48', in Figs. 8 and 9, and may be associated with the cup-shaped sealing element 45 by means of a metal clip 485. All that is necessary in the forms of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 9, when a liquid seal is to result between the element 45 and bung ring 36, is to provide a gasket which may be squeezed between the disk bottom 46 and bung fiange 39.

Vhen a sealing element, without a closure plug, is intentionally used to form the sole closure for a bung opening, the circumferential rim flange thereof may be wider, as indicated at 47 a in Fig. 13, and the sealing element may be self-locked under compression in the bung ring and seated to form a dual seal and also a closure for the bung opening, by a tool 40a, threaded at 41a, and provided with a bevelled end 44a, as shown in Fig. 14.

It may be desirable to strengthen the cup shaped sealing element 45 against distortion while seating the same in sealing position Within the bung opening. This strengthening may be accomplished by forming the disk bottom thereof to be dished as indicated at 46a in Fig. 10.

Moreover, a dual seal-may be provided by utilizing a fibre or other liquid sealing material cup-shaped element 45a, shown in Figs. 11 and 12, which does not require a separate gasket member for providing a liquid seal between the same and the bung ring.

In the modifications of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 14, inclusive, a liquid seal is povided between the bung ring fiange and the cup sealing element, While in the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 11 and l2, a liquid seal also results between the cup' sealing element 45a and the bung ring threads 37. d

Referring to Figs. 15 to 23 inclusive, and Figs. 30, 31 and 32, the metallic cup-shaped element 45 may have a ferrule type liquid sealing gasket 48 associated therewith. In this modification of the invention, the gasket 48 is formed of slightly elastic material and fits around the rim flange 47 of the cup member 45. When the plug 40 is screwed into the bung ring 36, to form the threads 49 in the rim fiange 47, threads 49a are also formed in the ferrule type` gasket 48 and a liquid tight seal (Figs. 19'and 20) results between the bung ring threads 37 and the rim flange 47, the bung flange 39 preventing the cup member 45 and gasket 48 from being forced through the bung opening into the container. If desirable, the container manufacturer may seat or lock a ferrule type gasket 48 in the bung ring (Figs. 21 and 22) by using a plug 40, or a tool 40a such as is shown in Fig. 14, whereupon, when the container is filled by the user, the closure thereof may be provided with a dual seal by inserting a cup sealing member 45 (Fig. 23) into the bung ring 36 and sealing or locking the same with a plug 4() as shown in Figs. 19 and 20.

Referring to the modification shown in- Figs. 24 to 29, inclusive, it may be desirable to provide a liquid tight seal for a metallic cupshaped sealing element 45 not only between the threads 49 formed therein and the bung ring threads 37, but also between its disk reinforced against distortion by being procvs vided with an upwardly raised portion 4Gb, with which a recessed plug 4Gb is used. Alternately, the cup element 45 (Fig. 29) may be reinforced by the downwardly projecting disk bottom 46c to provide a shoulder adjacent the gasket seal 48a for stiffening the disk bottom thereat.

In Figs. 30, 31 and 32, another standard type of bung ring 36a is shown which is locked to the container wall a at 38a and may be provided with a separate inwardly projecting iange 39a for adapting the same to have the improved dual seal associated therewith.

In the modifications of the invention shown in Figs. 15 to 32 inclusive, fa liquid seal is provided between the bung ring threads and the cup sealing element, while in the modifications of the invention shown in Figs. 24 to 29 inclusive, a liquid tight seal also results between the cup sealing element and the bung ring flange.

Thus, the seating or locking of the cup sealing element in the bung ring, in all modifications of the invention shown herein, provides a liquid tight seal for the closure between the cup sealing element and the bung ring in addition to the liquid tight seal which may be provided by the usual gasket 51, so that no leakage occurs at the closure in case the usual closure gasket 51 proves to be defective, or in case the closure plug 40 is accidentally or intentionally detached.

However, it is pointed out that the invention is not limited to the use of a liquid tight seal between the cup-shaped sealing element and the bung ring, for in many cases the usual liquid sealing gasket 51 is adequate and a metalic cup-shaped theft indicating sealing element is compression seated or locked in the bung'ring for the sole purpose of providing an effective theft indicating seal for the bung opening, which indicates whether or not the contents of the container has been tampered with.

In event a metallic cup member alone is used, the assembled parts appear as shown in Fig. 12, with a metallic cup member 45 substituted for the fiber cup member 45a.

member is seated and locked in the bung ring.

I claim: v

1. In container closure construction including an internally threaded flanged bung ring, a theft indicating sealing closure member seated in liquid tight sealing engagement against the bung ring flange and formed with threads locked under compression to the bung ring threads.

2. In container closure construction includ'- ing an internally threaded bung ring pro'- vided with an inwardly projecting annular fiange, a cup-shaped closure member includ'- ing a disk bottom and an initial circumferential rim, and means for seating thev bottom against the flange and for forming threads-in the rim and seating the same in the ring threads.

3. In container closure construction including a threaded bung ring provided with an inwardly projecting annular fiange and a clov sure plug therefor, a cup-shaped closure member locked to the bung ring threads and'seated against the ring fiange by the plug.

4. In container closure construction including a threaded bungr ring provided with an-inwardly projecting annular flange and a threaded closure plug therefor, a cup-shaped closure member locked to the bung ring threads and seated under compression against the ring flange by the plug, and means compressed by the member between the ring and member providing a liquid tight seal thereat.

5. In container closure construction including a threaded bung ring provided with an inwardly projecting annular flange and' a threaded closure plug therefor, a cup-shaped closure member including a disk bottom` and an initial circumferential rim, and the plug seating the bottom against the flange and for' forming threads in the rim and' seating the same in the ring threads.

6. In container closure constructlon in'- cluding a threaded bung ring provided with an inwardly projecting annular flange and a threaded closure plug therefor, a cup-shaped closure member including a disk bottomv and an initial circumferential rim, the plug seating the bottom against the flange and forming threads in the rim and seating the same in the ring threads, and means interposed between the ring and member providing a. l1quid tight seal thereat.

7 In container closure construction' including a threaded bung ring provided with an inwardly projecting annular flange, a cup;

shaped closure member including a disk bottom and an initial circumferentlal rim, and a threaded member provided with a bevellcd end portion threaded into the ring, the bevelled portion rst engaging the rim to seat the bottom against the flange, and the bevelled threaded member then forming threads in the rim into the ring threads to lock thecup-shaped member in the bung ring.

8. In container closure construction including a threaded bung ring provided with an inwardly projecting annular ange, a cupshaped closure member including a disk bottom and a circumferential rim inserted in the bung ring resting on the ange, a ferrule type liquid sealing gasket surrounding the rim interposed between the same and the bung ring threads, a member threaded into the bung rin locking the cup-shaped member and gas et under compression to the bung ring ange and threads, and the cup-shaped member and gasket providing' a dual seal for the bung ring.

9. In container closure construction including a threaded bung yring provided with an inwardly projecting annular flange, a cupshaped closure member including a disk bottom and a circumferential rim inserted in the bung ring resting on the flange, aflanged ferrule type liquid sealing gasket surrounding the rim interposed between the cupshaped member and the bung ring flange and threads, a member threaded into the bung .35 ring locking the cup-shapedmember and gasket under compression to the bung ring flange and threads, and the cup-shaped member and gasket providing a dual seal for the bung ring.

10. In container closure construction including an internally threaded flange Ybung ring, a theft indicating sealingclosure member self-locked to the bung ringthreads under axial compression against the flange.

In testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed m name. f

WALTER GROSSER. 

